Tom Verducci's View

In December 2001 the Rangers gave free-agent righthander Chan Ho Park a contract befitting an ace--five years, $65 million--even though Park had never been one, had tended to shrink from that kind of responsibility and, outside of pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium, had had marginal success. At week's end it was clear that after 28 starts for Texas--14 of which had lasted fewer than six innings--Park is no ace. He may not even be a starter for long. After three starts this year he was 1-2 with a 9.28 ERA. (New manager Buck Showalter decided early in spring training to go with Ismael Valdes on Opening Day because of Park's fragile makeup.) Says one scout, "They ought to send him [to the minors]. He's throwing 88, 89 mph, way down from where he used to be. So now he's afraid to throw his fastball. He's become a breaking-ball pitcher."

FREE WILY

Outfielder Wily Mo Pena is a 21-year-old power hitter who whiffed once every three at bats with Double A Chattanooga last year and isn't ready for the big leagues. So why is he rotting on the Reds' bench as their sixth outfielder? He's out of options, thanks to the major league contract he signed with the Yankees in 1999. Another club might claim Pena if Cincinnati tries to pass him through waivers to the minors, and he's too good to risk losing. So Pena, hitless in five at bats through Sunday, is caught in purgatory. G.M. Jim Bowden likens Pena to Sammy Sosa. Former manager Jack McKeon made the same comparison about Mike Cameron when he was traded to Seattle.

The heat has been turned up on Marlins manager Jeff Torborg, who despite his friendship with owner Jeffrey Loria is working with little job security. Torborg was effectively put on notice before the season started when Florida president David Samson said the team should win 91 games (12 more than last year). According to a source, Samson and G.M. Larry Beinfest met with Torborg last week and discussed the possibility of reassigning pitching coach Brad Arnsberg, a close Torborg ally. "All of it is untrue," Loria said when asked about reports of infighting. "We want to improve our team ERA [4.36] from last year."

SHORT HOPS

Hitters are adjusting to World Series phenom Francisco Rodriguez, the 21-year-old Angels righthander. When they recognize the spin from the rookie reliever's slider, they don't swing, waiting to jump on a fastball instead. Rodriguez's tight slider typically breaks out of the strike zone. As one scout says, "If you see his slider, don't swing, because you're probably not going to hit it anyway." Now Rodriguez will have to adjust and throw his breaking ball to spots rather than relying on its tilt alone.... Only Montreal and Florida stole more bases in the NL last year than Cincinnati. The Reds, however, did not attempt a stolen base in their first eight games this year, then were caught stealing on both attempts in their ninth game.... A tip-off on Greg Maddux's struggles: He rarely throws that signature fastball that starts at a lefty's hip and tails back on the inside corner. Said one concerned Brave, "What's scary is this is the first time he can't make adjustments to get the ball to go where he wants it."